Chief Chat: Training to assure safe schools

What do these communities have in common: West Paducah, Ken., Jonesboro, Ark., Littleton, Colo., Bailey, Colo., Omaha, Neb., Newtown, Conn.? Sadly, all of these cities were the victims of reported school shootings.

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By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

The Rolla Daily News - Rolla, MO

By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

Posted Feb. 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM

By Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse
Posted Feb. 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM

What do these communities have in common: West Paducah, Ken., Jonesboro, Ark., Littleton, Colo., Bailey, Colo., Omaha, Neb., Newtown, Conn.? Sadly, all of these cities were the victims of reported school shootings.

In fact, since 1996 there have been over 55 reported school shootings in the United States alone! Over the past decade this type of situation has presented new challenges to both school system administrators and law enforcement.

With the safety of our students and school faculty in mind, we collaborated with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and local school administrators and introduced the first phase of this training concept. More training phases will be conducted in the very near future.

On Friday, Feb. 15, local law enforcement officials met with the faculty and staff of the Rolla Public School System and conducted preliminary training into the newest and best proven concepts in school safety. This same training was also provided to Newburg, Edgar Springs and Rolla’s private schools over the past two weeks. St. James schools had already received the training prior to this scheduling. Lt. Jim Macormic, Cpl. Josh Campbell, Cpl. John Frey and Cpl. Adam Meyer have undergone extensive active shooter training in preparation for this segment of training.

The Rolla Police Department will be joining efforts with statewide law enforcement Feb. 22, 2013, for an aggressive “Click it or Ticket” mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up – and save more lives. Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click.

In 2012, 70 percent of individuals killed in crashes in Missouri were unrestrained. “Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up Click It or Ticket enforcement,” said Sergeant Tim Mayfield. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can – and do – save lives.” Buckle Up and Arrive Alive. For information on Missouri seatbelt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

This next entry is from the desk of Sgt. Vince Giacolone. Vince is the Rolla Police Department’s Law Enforcement Torch Run Coordinator for Special Olympics – Missouri. Vince writes: If you haven’t had a chance to get your 2013 Special Olympics T-Shirt or Cap yet, officers and VIPS from the Rolla Police Department will be at Wal - Mart and K-Mart selling the very sharp looking items , this Saturday, February 16, from 9:00 am till 12 noon. Children and Adult sizes will be available; $10.00 each. All proceeds go to Missouri Special Olympics.

In closing, I wanted to remind you that the City of Rolla will be conducting a citizen opinion telephone survey beginning the week of Feb. 18th to assess citizen satisfaction with major city services, such as Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Housing, Public Safety, and more. For more information on this and other City of Rolla events, visit the website: //rollacity.blogspot.com/.